However, the pregame mood sharped grim as Braves manager Walt Weiss announced serious updates on three of the club’s top starting pitchers. Hurston Waldrep and Spencer Schwellenbach are headed for elbow surgeries, and Spencer Strider is not expected to pitch again in 2026. Weiss delivered all three updates in the same pregame briefing.
Waldrep is set to undergo Tommy John surgery, while Schwellenbach will have a follow-up procedure after a flare-up of the elbow fracture that sidelined him last year. The information was confirmed by MLB reporting and corroborated by a prominent baseball writer, who noted Weiss’s assessment that Strider’s return this season is unlikely.
Waldrep, a first-round pick out of Florida in 2023, had emerged as a key young arm for Atlanta in 2025 with a 2.88 ERA over 56 1/3 innings before an MRI in February revealed loose bodies in the elbow. Initial hopes were for a cleanup procedure, but the issue persisted, and Tommy John surgery would typically sideline a starting pitcher into the following season, pushing Waldrep’s expected return toward 2028.
Schwellenbach has been one of the Braves’ steadier young pitchers since his 2024 debut, posting a 3.23 ERA across 38 career starts. He fractured his right elbow last June, had loose bodies removed in February, and spent the summer rehabilitating before resuming bullpen work in late July with plans to face hitters and regain velocity. Friday’s announcement means a second surgery on the same elbow, further complicating his path back.
The Braves’ current rotation for October includes Chris Sale, Bryce Elder, Tyler Mahle, Grant Holmes, Martín Pérez, and AJ Smith-Shawver, who returned this year from Tommy John surgery. This group has helped Atlanta lead the NL East despite absorbing several long-term injuries to what was expected to be the core of the staff.
With Waldrep, Schwellenbach, and Strider no longer in the 2026 plans, Waldrep’s timeline points to a 2028 return, and Schwellenbach’s prognosis depends on how his bone heals and how quickly he can ramp back up. Strider remains under contract through 2028 with a team option for 2029, but his 2027 outlook now hinges on the elbow that has already required multiple surgeries.
The Braves lineup featured Grant Holmes on the mound for this particular game, with a batting order led by players including Drake Baldwin, Ozzie Albies, Matt Olson, Ronald Acuña Jr., Michael Harris II, Mauricio Dubón, Mike Yastrzemski, Sean Murphy, and Ha-Seong Kim occupying various roles. The Colorado Rockies began with Tomoyuki Sugano as their starting pitcher and fielded a lineup that included Jake McCarthy, Cole Carrigg, Hunter Goodman, TJ Rumfield, Willi Castro, Mickey Moniak, Connor Norby, Zac Veen, and Ezequiel Tovar among others.
In summary, the Braves faced a challenging reality as three of their starting pitchers were sidelined or facing lengthy absences due to elbow issues. Waldrep’s and Schwellenbach’s surgeries, combined with Strider’s uncertain return in 2026, marked a significant setback for Atlanta’s rotation. The immediate focus shifted to maintaining their lead in the NL East while navigating a reshaped pitching staff for the near future.
